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Free Walking Tour Melbourne

Join a fantastic tour with i'm free walking tours and discover the best places in melbourne, free  melbourne walking tour.

G’day mate!

We are your local guides at I’m Free Walking Tours. We’re your complete connection to Sydney and Melbourne’s sights, culture and history. As Melburnians, we will share with you the stories and history of our hometown. We’ll explore with you parts of the city many locals don’t know and laneways you might miss .

Did you know that Melbourne was once the richest city in the world?

To help you have the best time in our city, we will provide you with 100% independent advice on what to see and do.

Operating in Melbourne since 2011 , we believe in helping to make sure you get the most out of your time in Melbourne.

Head to our website to register for tours of Melbourne’s sights and the Culture Capital tour which delves into more laneways and stories about how Melbourne became so famous for its culture.

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I'm Free Tours of Melbourne

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“ The walking tour covered all the places of interest in the CBD and provided useful and interesting info about each place. ” in 4 reviews

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328 Swanston St

Melbourne Victoria 3000

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Showing off Melbourne's sights and history to visitors and tourists alike! …

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Sam whisked about 40 of us through many sights in 3 hours. We met him at 10:30 in front of the library and wandered through the city until 1:30. Sam gave us a lot of history and background to his city. Some points of interest visited were: - Old Melbourne Gaol, a former prison where Ned Kelly (a bushranger who was considered both a hero and a villain) was hung, and it's now part of RMIT University and a museum - Princess Theater, where a seat is always left unoccupied in honor of Frederick Federici, and the theater is supposedly haunted by his ghost - Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in Australia and filled with cheap eats - Federation Square, a large public space great for televising live sporting events as well as for rioting - Flinders Station, the largest and busiest metro station in Melbourne - various alleyways that have cute cafés and restaurants that are prefect for bunch and lunch - street art that's legal at some alleyways

Sam our guide

We are a family of 4 and did the tour this morning at 10:30. Tour started in front of the library and Rob took us through the city until 1:30. Rob was an amazing tour guide as he shared a lot of tid bits of history and background and we enjoyed his sense of humor. I highly recommend the tour. It is free and a donation is suggested. I think that is totally fair considering the tour and history that was given. Some points of interest visited were: Federation Square Melbourne's Laneways Street Art Flinders St Station Yarra River Eureka Tower Hidden bar scene Centre Place Melbourne's Coffee Culture Block Arcade Chinatown Princess Theatre Melbourne's Arcades State Parliament of Victoria Bourke St Shopping Mall Old Melbourne Gaol State Library of Victoria Royal Exhibition Centre

This was a great tour led by Astrid. She covered a lot and answered all questions patiently, you leave with great recommendations and good sense of Melbourne cbd

See all photos from Toby P. for I'm Free Tours of Melbourne

I did the 10:30 AM tour and it was drizzling at first but the sun came out and the rain and clouds cleared out. I was 3 minutes late. It was a big group and we were split into 2 groups. Our tour guide was Alex. He provided umbrellas for those who needed one, which was quite nice. I noticed that he did attempt to talk to everyone who was part of the group. He gave a decent amount of history and information about Melbourne although half the time I was not paying attention, lol. I was busy taking photos and eating my breakfast at the same time after the rain stopped. We had a 15-minute break at a shopping plaza so I was able to finish my breakfast during that period. He did suggest you tip him at the end of the tour. Cool, friendly guy. I've never done other paid tours to compare this to, but I would say it was worth going to instead of walking around to several landmarks one by one. Particularly because it was my last day in town. I did do the Imfree Sydney tour and I rate this tour about the same. The approach and time spent was very similar.

Make sure to go on one of these tours when you're in Melbourne. They take you all throughout the CBD for three hours, and it's all for free! They leave from the statue of Sir Redmond Barry in front of the State Library of Victoria. Good for families and backpackers. FYI, though, they make it clear that they'd really like a donation at the end. Places you see: Federation Square Melbourne's Laneways Street Art Flinders St Station Yarra River Eureka Tower Hidden bar scene Centre Place Melbourne's Coffee Culture Block Arcade Chinatown Princess Theatre Melbourne's Arcades State Parliament of Victoria Bourke St Shopping Mall Old Melbourne Gaol State Library of Victoria Royal Exhibition Centre

May 2, 2018

Thanks for the review! We're pleased to hear you enjoyed your introduction to Melbourne. Our tours work on the 'pay as you feel' model so if you enjoyed your experience you are welcome to leave a tip of what you think the tour was worth. Thank you for coming along.

Did someone say FREE?! I'm Free walking tour in Melbourne is a great and fun way to explore the city's central business district (CBD) by foot. The tour runs daily (except Christmas) at 10:30am and 2:30pm, regardless of weather conditions. The tour runs for about 2.5 to 3 hours with several stopping points and one 10 to 15 minute break, so bring water and wear comfortable shoes. The meeting point is outside the State of Victoria Library. The tour guides wear a bright, neon green shirt so they're easy to spot. The last stop is around the Southbank Promenade by the Melbourne Arts Centre, which concludes the tour with a beautiful, picturesque panoramic view of the CBD skyline. Some points of interest visited include: - Old Melbourne Gaol, a former prison where Ned Kelly (a bushranger who was considered both a hero and a villain) was hung, and it's now part of RMIT University and a museum - Princess Theater, where a seat is always left unoccupied in honor of Frederick Federici, and the theater is supposedly haunted by his ghost - Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in Australia and filled with cheap eats - Federation Square, a large public space great for televising live sporting events as well as for rioting - Flinders Station, the largest and busiest metro station in Melbourne - various alleyways that have cute cafés and restaurants that are prefect for bunch and lunch - street art that's legal at some alleyways A couple interesting facts: - Melbourne used to have an inadequate sewage system, so they were nicknamed "Smell-bourne" - in some parts of CBD, the wider streets are named after previous governors (ie: Collins St) and the narrower streets are a variation (ie: Little Collins St) The tour guide makes money based on tips, so feel free to give the amount you think the tour is worth. Generally, people tipped $5-20. Our tour guide Charlotte was great! She was very friendly and knowledgeable. And I loved how she brought a microphone so that we could all hear her well, especially because my tour group had over 20 people.

See all photos from Priscilla W. for I'm Free Tours of Melbourne

HIGHLY recommend!! I can't believe how knowledgeable our tour guide was, not only that but to be enthusiastic and engaging for three hours (at one point it started raining, no body left - she was that good). Loved learning about the city and getting the inside scoop on places from a local. Perfect way to start the visit as you can go back to places that were mentioned - we also go a personalized walking tour map which was helpful. Also, I must add that I enjoyed this more then Sydney's walking tour (not that you shouldn't do that one).

A very enjoyable three-hour walking tour. We went on this tour today and had a pleasant time while learning more about the city. Our tour guide was Desmond who was very spot-on and knowledgeable about the history of the Melbourne. Highly recommend taking a few hours to get some enjoyable walking around the city with some knowledgeable tour guides. Remember these guides only work off tips so highly recommend you leave them a decent tip. Technically San Francisco is the oldest Chinatown although nearly all of it was burned down, but we will give it to you...=)

Thank you for the review. It looks like you had a great tour with Desmond. Yes, Melbourne's claim to having the 'Oldest China Town in the Western world' is a bit of a technicality but nonetheless, the structures are the oldest!

The walking tour covered all the places of interest in the CBD and provided useful and interesting info about each place. Our tour guide, Liam, gave fun facts and important historical facts about the different places which made our trip more memorable and helped us in selecting which places to spend more time on. He also had great recommendations on food.

Informative and fun. Very knowledgeable guide and the tour was at a perfect pace. Pity most people don't tip. Well worth your time.

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Free Walking Tour Melbourne

Overview of the tour in Melbourne

Take a 2-hour tour of Melbourne’s historic CBD and see the key sights, hear fascinating stories, and discover some hidden details. Follow your guide through Melbourne’s bustling city center, hearing the unique stories of Victoria’s capital. One of Melbourne’s only locally owned and operated tour companies, this tour promises to offer stories unheard of anywhere else and an insightful experience. We can promise you’ll walk away learning a lot and with a smile on your face. Please Note: The 'free walking tour' operates with a model by which depending on your satisfaction, you are able to tip our guides upon conclusion of the tour. This is often our guides only source of income and are not paid otherwise by the city or government.

This activity includes:

• State Library Victoria
• Chinatown Melbourne
• Melbourne Town Hall
• Old Melbourne Gaol
• The Block Arcade
• FLINDERS STREET STATION
• Degraves St and Laneway
• St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne
• Melbourne CBD
• The best sights in Melbourne’s City Centre
• Unique experiences and stories
• 2-hour free walking tour (payment solely by tips)

Meeting point

Federation Square

Keep an eye out for the Orange Umbrella, your guide will meet you in the middle of Federation Square.

Things to note

- Bathrooms are available on the tour. - The tour follows a roughly 2-hour route through Melbourne’s historic centre and main sights - Similar to other free walking tours, the concept follows the idea of leaving a tip at the end of the tour for your guide, depending on your satisfaction.

Free Cancellation

You are free to cancel a booking anytime. We kindly remind you to cancel bookings you cannot arrive for. Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy.

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The 7 best walking tours in Melbourne

Discover the city on foot, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide

There's no doubt that the best way to get to know a city is to walk. Lose yourself in all the nooks and crannies, stumble upon hidden gems, and burn off all the amazing food you'll undoubtedly eat. Whether you're new to Melbourne or a regular, booking a walking tour is a great way to uncover the city's secrets and see it in a new light. 

For more tips on making the most of the city, tick off these  25 tourist attractions that don't suck , and check out the 50 things to do in Melbourne before you die . Anyways, here's our round-up of the best walking tours in Melbourne.

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Explore Melbourne on foot

1.  Chocoholic Tours

The first thing you'll be told on the Chocoholics tour is to pace yourself. Heed that advice because you're going to be tasting a lot of coverture chocolates and desserts over the tour. Your guide will take you through some of the city's dinkiest arcades and laneways in the search for Melbourne's finest chocolate, with tasting, discounts and insight from professional chocolatiers at every stop. You'll even learn how to taste chocolate like a pro. 

Time Out tip: The tour combines history with a selection of tasty chocolate desserts, some of which are locally sourced. You can also expect the occasional cheese, spice and even the odd detour. 

2.  Royal Botanic Gardens’ Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Take a journey into ancestral lands of the Kulin nation in this guided walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Kicking off at 11 am Sunday through Friday, this tour gives visitors insight into how the local people lived within different environments found within the gardens, from forest to rainforest and nearby wetlands. The tour includes a traditional Tanderrum smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country, and visitors discover traditional uses of plants for food, tools and medicine. The tour finishes with a refreshing cup of lemon myrtle tea. Tours are suitable for adults and children over five and begin at the Gardens’ Visitor Centre.  

Time Out tip: This is a great attraction if you prefer a more relaxed pace - great for a Sunday. 

3.  Hidden Secrets Tours

Whether you're a tourist or a local, you're bound to discover something new about Melbourne on a Hidden Secrets tour. The laneways and arcades tour will take you in and out of Melbourne's famous back alleys, teaching you some interesting history along the way. Block Arcade and Royal Arcade are covered, as well as some much less well-known places. For example, did you know about EW Cole's giant three-storey book arcade? 

Time Out tip: Hidden Secrets also offers food-related tours, including a progressive degustation.

4.  Melbourne Street Tours

No trip to Melbourne is complete without visiting the ever-changing Hosier Lane, but there’s more to Melbourne Street art than that. Melbourne Street Tours run tours of the city’s urban art with practising street artists as the guides.

Time Out tip: You can help yourself to a selection of goodies along the way including fresh produce, beer, wine and soft drinks.

5.  I'm Free Walking Tours

Locals might have seen the fluoro green wearing I’m Free Walking Tour guides hanging around the Arts Centre or State Library, but have you ever stopped to join them? As their name suggests this operator runs 100 per cent free tours of Melbourne’s sights and culture (you can also pay what you can afford). Try out their Melbourne Sights Tour to see a different side of the city. 

6.  Lantern Ghost Tours

Shiver-inducing true stories are the specialty of Melbourne’s most popular ghost tour operators. Wander through Old Melbourne, explore Williamtown by lamp light, investigate the paranormal in Victoria's oldest morgue, or see if you can brave the Time Ball Tour rumour to be guarded by spirits.

Time Out tip: Catch these tours every Friday and Saturday. 

7.  Abbotsford Convent Social History Tour

Once an important meeting point for the Kulin Nation and later a convent run by Irish nuns, this Abbotsford site has been through many guises over the years.  

Time Out tip: Abbotsford Convent periodically hosts a farmer's market where along with fresh produce, you can stop for a coffee and some pastries.

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I'M FREE WALKING TOURS (Melbourne) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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Free tours of iconic Melbourne places

Make new memories at Melbourne's most beloved historical spots on a free walking tour.

Melbourne Town Hall Tours

Take a free guided tour of one of the city's most iconic buildings, Melbourne Town Hall . Learn about the building's unique history as you visit the Grand Council Chambers and stand in rooms once visited by royalty. You may even get to stand on the Portico Balcony where the Beatles stood in 1964, waving to thousands of screaming fans below.

The State Library

The State Library has emerged from a major renovation. Take a free history of the library tour to see what's new. You'll visit galleries, the Ian Potter Queens Hall and the heritage reading rooms, where you can stop to browse the endless books. Aussie history buffs will love the new display of Ned Kelly’s armour, alongside his manifesto, the Jerilderie letter.

Parliament House

Head to the 19th century on a public tour of Parliament House . Think Gold Rush-era marble, chandeliers and polished wood. See inside the parliamentary chambers, take a seat in a Member of Parliament's chair and say hello to the statue of Queen Victoria. There are  three tours every weekday , except when Parliament is sitting.

Royal Botanic Gardens

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover Melbourne’s vibrant  Royal Botanic Gardens  on a  free guided walking tour . Discover natural flora and fauna as you wander through rolling landscapes, towering trees and glittering lakes. The daily sessions run for one hour and 30 minutes and the expert guides will share all the hidden gems in the gardens.

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Aboriginal Melbourne walk

Discover Melbourne's Aboriginal heritage and culture on this walking tour of significant sites.

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Take a walk through Melbourne’s lush parks and gardens.

More Melbourne walking adventures

Hidden Secrets Tours

Indulge and discover the city's hidden charm with Melbourne's original laneway walking tours.

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Melbourne Sights Walking Tour

Uncover the stories behind Melbourne's landmarks, gardens and events on this walking tour.

Secrets of Melbourne Walking Tour

Reemerge from a long lockdown and rediscover Melbourne through this entertaining 3-hour tour.

The ultimate guide to walking tours in Melbourne

Guided tours that weave through Melbourne's hidden gems, foodie spots and street art.

Last updated on Wed 28 Dec 2022

Only In The City

Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade

The Royal Exhibition Building opens its doors to a unique view unseen for 100 years.

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GoBoat Melbourne

Be your own captain by renting a picnic boat, with no boat licence required.

Melbourne River Cruises

Sit back and relax as your captain details the history of Melbourne on a river cruise.

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Fitzroy Gardens walk

If you’re looking for an iconic Melbourne garden walk, this is an excellent place to start

Sporting Capital Tours

Explore the most amazing sports precinct in the world, plus a guided tour inside the mighty MCG.

Chocoholic Tours

This chocolate walking tour visits some of the city's best chocolatiers with exclusive experiences.

Yarra River discovery walk

Take a walk along Melbourne's vibrant waterfront to discover history, art and culture.

I'm Free Tours of Sydney, Melbourne & Auckland

Explore Australia & New Zealand’s most popular cities with your friendly and knowledgeable local I’m Free Tour guides.

Local Free Tours of Sydney, Melbourne & Auckland

Explore three of Australasia’s best cities on a free tour with your friendly and knowledgeable local tour guides.

Experience the culture and lifestyle as we delve into the history, stories and culture to ensure that you get the best out of your stay in Sydney, Melbourne & Auckland.

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Choose which city you would like to join a tour and we look forward to showing you around!

Free Tour Community

We are a member of the Free Tour Community , a global group of independent local organisations operating free, pay what you feel tours. Check out th e link to find us in over 80 cities around the world.

The Free Tour concept

We love the Free Tour concept. For for many people it’s a new idea, so we’ve answered some common questions.

What is a Free Tour?

Free tours are an accessible way to get a great local introduction to a city. They are offered for free, allowing you the ability to turn up, meet your knowledgeable guide and get to know the history and culture of a city without the commitment of upfront payment. Free Tours allow all those who attend the ability to decide what they thought their service was worth. This encourages your trained local guide, whose job it is to show you the magic of their city, to offer everyone the best service every time. 

Are Free Tours really free?

Free Tours have developed over the past 20 years as a way to offer tours of cities in a way that is more accessible to people, no matter their budget or circumstances.

Are Free Tour guides as good as other tour guides?

The beauty of the free tour guide is, they have lots of practice. They know your questions inside and out and because there’s no upfront fee, you get to decide what to leave the guide. In a nutshell, Free Tour Guides know they have to impress you, so their tours are designed to be memorable, entertaining explorations of a city.

Why aren’t Free Tours called Pay-what-you-want tours?

Some companies have gone that way, because they feel it better describes the concept. However, we feel the term free tour is more recognisable and representative of the freedom that free tours offer.

Why should I join an I'm Free Tour?

We at I’m Free Walking Tours are all locals to our cities and go through an extensive learning and interview process before guiding. Secondly, all our recommendations are honest and independent and we work continuously to improve our tours and share with you the best sights, culture and history that our city has to offer.

How much should I give my guide?

We don’t like to specify as we want to make sure everyone can have a great experience in Sydney, Melbourne & Auckland no matter their budget. 

How do I join a Free Tour?

We require bookings so that we can manage numbers and staffing. You can book online for a Sydney Tour,   Melbourne Tour or Auckland Tour .

Some companies allow you to turn up without reservation, but most across the world require pre-booking to help manage numbers and guide availability, so check with each company directly.

Just remember to avoid unnecessary charges for you or your free tour guide, register directly with the free tour company of your choice rather than guruwalk, freetour.com or other similar booking engines. If you want a great list of independent companies across the world, have a look at freetourcommunity.com .

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The Best Walking Tours in Melbourne

Famed for its restaurant and coffee scene, Melbourne is popular with the backpacker crowd (hence why I vibe with it so much!). It has charming, funky neighborhoods, and streets lined with inspiring shops and cafés. You can tap into its amazing nightlife, from a sedate evening at a wine bar to dancing until sunrise at a thumping club. It’s also near the wine-centric Yarra Valley. There’s a lot to see and do here.

Melbourne is considered the “cultural capital” of the country and the best way to find out why is to take a walking tour.

I love walking tours. You’ll get to see the highlights and connect with a local guide that can answer all your questions. There are tours for every niche too, so regardless of your interests (or budget), you’ll be able to have fun and learn a lot about the city.

Here’s my list of the best walking tours in Melbourne.

BEST OVERALL TOUR

MELTours Laneways Tour

This tour gives you a great overview of Melbourne, including a thorough history of the city and a better understanding of how it evolved into the thriving yet laid-back Aussie metropolis that it is today. You’ll also discover the back alleys, the hidden lanes, and the secrets that lay underneath the streets. On this 2.5-hour tour, you’ll visit specialty shops and quirky cafés as you explore untrammeled, lesser-known routes.

Tours start at 99 AUD.

Best Free Tour

I’m Free Tours

If you’re on a budget, I’m Free organizes no-charge walking tours in Melbourne. You can choose between a general walking tour in the morning that covers the main attractions and the stories behind them, or an afternoon tour called “Culture Capital,” which emphasizes art and culture and takes visitors down lesser-traveled lanes and arcades. Be sure to tip your guides at the end!

While those may be the best free and paid tours in town, Melbourne has a lot more to offer, no matter your interests. Here are eight other insightful and educational tours:  

1. Melbourne Street Tours

Street art has become a worldwide phenomenon in the last decade or so. Every big city on the planet has incredible street art and murals to admire — and Melbourne is no exception. In addition to taking you down some lesser-known alleyways, this tour finishes in an artist’s studio warehouse, so you can learn how these amazing works are created.

Tours start at 49 AUD.

2. Depot Adventures Hidden Bar Tour

Melbourne is littered with tiny, sometimes concealed lanes that house some lesser-known establishments. And this, of course, includes bars. This three-hour tour takes you to the backstreets to discover four hidden pubs. The expert local guide will not only regale you with tales of the bar scene in Melbourne but also tell you about the history of the city. Just be sure to come thirsty!

Tours start at 58 AUD.

3. Melbourne Walks

For over three decades, Melbourne Walks has been leading tours. No matter what your interests are, there’s probably a tour that appeals: there’s a crime-focused tour, for example, a back lanes and arcades jaunt, and tours that focus on topics such as architecture, literature, social justice, historic pubs, and individual historical figures. If you’re looking for something niche, start here.

Tours start at 70 AUD.

4. Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Through the Royal Botanical Gardens, you can take a journey through Melbourne and see it through Aboriginal eyes — specifically the Kulin people. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 11am, visitors are shown traditional uses of tools, medicine, plants, and food, as well as the rich and intriguing history and culture of the First Peoples of Australia. It’s incredibly informative!

Tours start at 40 AUD.

5. Blue Tongue Bikes

This bike tour is a great eco-friendly way to get around town. You’ll get an all-encompassing view of Melbourne, seeing all the major attractions while learning its history, from the early Aboriginal period to its establishment to the present day. During breaks, the expert local guide offers tips on what else there is to do and where to eat in the Melbourne area.

Tours start at 65 AUD.

6. Lantern Ghost Tours

For a spooky look into Melbourne’s seedy past, take a ghost tour. Over 90 minutes, you’ll travel back to the 19th century and explore the city’s haunted locations. You’ll trek down narrow alleys, marvel at historic haunted buildings, and hear all kinds of spooky stories from Melbourne’s past and present.

Tours start at 26 AUD.

7. Intrepid Urban Adventures

Sure, Melbourne has one of the best dining scenes — if not the best — in Australia. But if you’re into eating on the go, you can get another perspective on the food landscape of a place by visiting its markets. Intrepid’s 2.5-hour Multicultural Markets Culinary Culture Tour is designed to help you discover the wealth and diversity of the city’s many food markets. It celebrates the food culture in Melbourne, stopping at, among other sites, the famed Queen Victoria Market, the largest open-air market in Australia. You’ll meet vendors, sample their products, and walk away with a full stomach and a deeper knowledge of the diverse food scene of Melbourne.

Taking a walking tour in Melbourne is the best way to kick-start your visit. You’ll connect with a local guide, see the main sights, and learn about the city’s diverse cultural landscape. Whether you’re a foodie or a cocktail aficionado, a history geek or an e-bike enthusiast, there’s a tour here for you. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!

Book Your Trip to Melbourne: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Two of my favorite places to stay are:

• Nomads St. Kilda

For more hostel suggestions, here’s a complete list of the best hostels in Melbourne.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Melbourne? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Melbourne for even more planning tips!

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Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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